The aim of this publication is to guide patients through the process of notifying the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency of your pulmonary hypertension, answer some of the common questions we hear, and help you understand what to expect along the way. Read more at this link on the PHA UK website
The Alliance for Pulmonary Hypertension introduced its 2025 “Patients Empowering Patients” (PEP) program, designed to harness the power of peer-to-peer support, on May 5, 2025, World Pulmonary Hypertension Day. The name “PEP Talks” is a playful nod to the acronym of the “PEP” program, and it embodies the encouraging and motivational spirit of traditional pep
This is a small study but it addresses a very important but often overlooked issue, that of injection site pain for pulmonary arterial hypertension patients being treated with sub-cutaneous treprostinil, which can significantly affect quality of life. The researchers found that topical 10% lidocaine gel provided rapid and effective relief of injection site pain, facilitating
The Alliance for Pulmonary Hypertension has released its first ten “PEP Talks” – part of the peer-to-peer patient educational video series launched in May. The name is a fun play on our “Patients Empowering Patients” program, and these short videos share practical insights from the people who really get it – fellow patients and caregivers.
Looking for volunteers for our future “PEP Talks”! Read Post »
A new study presented at the American Thoracic Society 2025 Conference reveals that women with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) rely heavily on family caregivers but face significant gaps in meeting their support needs. Methodology Researchers conducted a 45-minute web-based quantitative survey across multiple countries, targeting women aged 21-50 with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Patient-reported outcome measures
The emPHasis-10 questionnaire, designed to reflect that lived experience, has long been a trusted tool in both clinics and studies but until now, it was only available on paper. In a new UK-wide study, researchers led by Dr. Joseph Newman and colleagues tested the first digital version of emPHasis-10 using the Atom5™ smartphone app. Their
Isabella Hornick’s article, “ Women with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Report Struggles with Family Planning and Caregiver Needs”, published by Healio on May 19, 2205, reports on comprehensive survey conducted on 275 women with pulmonary arterial hypertension aged 21-50 from the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Germany. The average age of the included women differed at PAH
Sleep difficulties are commonly reported by individuals living with pulmonary hypertension (PH); however, there is limited research examining their impact. In other chronic health conditions, sleep problems can affect health-related quality of life and mental wellbeing, potentially increasing the likelihood of experiencing anxiety and low mood. Establishing this relationship in adults with pulmonary hypertension could
A study published in Pulmonary Circulation on April 16, 2025 investigated whether Fitbit wearable devices can provide meaningful clinical information about activity and sleep patterns in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients. A total of 110 participants completed the 12-week baseline monitoring period. The cohort was median age 52.7 years (IQR: 40.9–60.5), female predominant (84% female),
This article by Jen Cueva, a pulmonary hypertension patient, reflects on the challenges of managing setbacks, particularly for those with pulmonary arterial hypertension and other chronic conditions, emphasizing that setbacks are not failures but may represent opportunities to adjust and persevere. It highlights the importance of self-compassion, rest, and leaning on support systems to navigate
This systematic review, published on the Respiratory Medicine November-December 2024 issue, focuses on identifying and evaluating quality of life (QoL) measurement instruments specifically designed for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH): EmPHasis-10, CAMPHOR, PAH SYMPACT, and LPHQ. Using the 2018 COSMIN guidelines, the researchers searched multiple medical databases to assess these instruments’ psychometric properties. While
“Poor sleep quality is an overlooked symptom in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), however it may significantly contribute to disease burden”, claim the authors of a study titled “Sleep Quality and Its Predictors among Dyspnea, Fatigue and Exercise Capacity in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension”, published in Acta Cardiologica. Karen Jacobson-Sive has summarised the key takeaways
A very touching and inspiring article by Jen Cueva was published in a recent edition of Pulmonary Hypertension News. This piece beautifully emphasizes gratitude as a transformative practice, even amid adversity. Jen effectively balances acknowledgment of the hardships of living with PH with a constructive approach to fostering positivity. The actionable advice—such as empathetic listening,
As both a nurse and Chair of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association UK, Dr. Iain Armstrong is passionate about doing the right thing for patients. Compassion, he believes, lies at the heart of nursing and excellence in healthcare. Compassion, derived from the Latin “compassion” meaning “to suffer together,” is a vital strength that enables nurses to
Vacation is important, even if you have pulmonary hypertension. “Everyone needs a break now and then,” says Jolande de Jonge, pulmonary hypertension nurse consultant at Erasmus MC. In the latest edition of “Papillon,” the magazine of PHA Netherlands, she provides some tips for patients on vacation and says, “If there is anything we can support,
A recent study, conducted at the Hunter-New England pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) clinic in Newcastle, Australia, investigated the assessment of patient-reported outcome measures (PROs) and quality of life (QOL) in patients in WHO Group 1, pulmonary arterial hypertension. It aimed to determine if QOL scores, measured using both disease-specific (PAH-SYMPACT©) and general (EQ-5D-5L™) tools, could
Colleen Brunetti started her career as a teacher, but after her pulmonary hypertension diagnosis was forced to leave this field. She began a journey to re-invent herself implementing a holistic lifestyle and went on to become a certified health coach. In her book “Defining the new normal: A guide to becoming more than your diagnosis”
We are thrilled to share a remarkable project undertaken by the French Pulmonary Hypertension Association, HTaPFrance. In collaboration with the talented author, Thomas Penin, they have brought to life a poignant story through a graphic novel. The graphic novel revolves around a fictional woman patient grappling with pulmonary arterial hypertension. The protagonist embarks on a
Read the winter issue of “EmPHasis” at this link on the PHA UK website
The findings of the UK Pulmonary Hypertension Association’s major research into people’s lived experiences of pulmonary hypertension have now been published and you can find them here. The survey was completed 859 times, and the results will underpin the UK Pulmonary Hypertension Association’s charitable activity for the next five years. Disclaimer While every possible effort
